The Real Memphis Mike (don't settle for imitations)

Somehow, 30 years have gone by. Is it really 30 years since I graduated high school? It can't be! I can't be that old....but, I guess it is...time does, indeed, march on. I've been hearing from some of my former classmates about trying to arrange a 30 year reunion. Unlike a lot of people, I enjoy these. While I hated school ( God, it was boring ), I believe I was liked by my peers. Through the magic of the internet and social networking, I still hear from a number of them. They all are still pretty convinced that I'm clinically insane...but that just goes to show you...some things never change. I like to believe that I still hold the same core values that I did way back when. My auntie always taught me "we do right because it is right". Probably some of the best advice I've ever heard. I've always found it best to give people the benefit of a doubt. Few people are inherently bad. Sure, some people are assholes...hell, I'm sure there are people ...

Allow me to preface this by saying I wish The Nox Boys well. I think it's fantastic that these kids are playing rock and roll. It sounds like they're having fun and I can say, from experience, that they're venturing into territory that will leave them with a lifetime of fond memories and many experiences to draw from in life.  I really hope they sell a million! That said, I think their sound is, at best, average. That is not an insult, it's merely my opinion. Does my opinion count? To some folks, it does. One of the many things that I do as a freelance writer is write music reviews. I do so because I am asked to do so, and am often compensated to do so. Obviously, some people feel that I have enough knowledge about music to make an informed and educated opinion on the subject. I am regularly sent new releases from independent artists all the way up to receiving advance copies from Sony. Again, this is because some people believe that I know what I'm talking about ...

It's that time of year again. Gigs are sparse. Money is tight. And here I am, at age 47, wondering why the hell I keep doing this. I love music. Many people say that...but most really don't. They like music. They enjoy music. Music gives them something to listen to other than the crushing silence that would otherwise fill their lives...but they don't love music.  (I'm sure I'll hear lots of arguments about that statement!) I love music so much that I've pretty much given my entire life to it. That's love. That's devotion. Sure, some people collect records, tapes, CDs, mp3s, whatever...that's not love. That's a hobby. Some folks like to be in a band and book a gig now and then. Yep...that's a hobby. Some folks feel compelled to write music, even if they know that no one will ever hear it...that's love. Love has no guarantees. Love makes you crazy. Love even makes you do some stupid things. I first performed in front of an audience...

Ha! I bet you think this is going to be some bizarre nationalistic rant about the economy....wrong! It's about records and record shopping. I've always loved music. My earliest memories involve music. I can still remember the first recording I bought. It was The Beatles' "Hey Jude" release...on 8 track. I bought it at a neighbor's garage sale for a princely sum of 50 cents. That was big money for a 5 year old in 1971. I could have bought a can of soda and a candy bar...or two comic books...but something told me to buy this. I liked it...wasn't completely knocked out...but I enjoyed it. Until I hit double digits, all I really wanted to listen to was classical music. I liked the big sounds of full orchestras, the auditorium reverb on solo piano recordings, the odd, pinched sounds of the harpsichord on baroque pieces...it was all about sound. Then I discovered Kiss...and Queen. More big sounds...sounds that still stop me in my tracks, especially Brian May...

Believe it or not, I'm actually serious about this. I am honestly worried about the state of the world. People are seriously becoming stupid. Someone that you know is probably stupid. You haven't said anything because you're a nice, polite person. That has to end. Stupid people have to be called out and I'll happily tell you why. Before you think this can't happen here...it can. It's already happening. The state of Queensland government (in Australia...a beautiful place filled with great people) is seriously considering passing laws whereby "the Government can declare any group a criminal organisation without having to present evidence to prove it."  The original aim of this is to curtail outlaw biker groups like the Hell's Angels. I have no beef with the Angels, Bandidos, Grim Reapers, Pagans, or any other MC. Rock on brothers and sisters! Rock on! If a person or persons commit an illegal act, they should be prosecuted. But to call any arb...

I'm grumpy today...so I'll bitch. I probably don't bitch enough...basically because I tend to be a happy, content man. I have problems, just like everyone else - so I usually don't complain. We all tend to bring shit and misery on ourselves. That said, it's time for a Metzger Bitchathon. I'm sick. No, I don't mean I have the flu bug going around - although how I've lucked out thus far is beyond me. I have a lot of health problems. Some, I've probably exacerbated, but never asked for in the first place. I have arthritis. I'm half deaf. I'm slowly going blind in my left eye. I have memory problems. I have a bad ticker. In the cold, winter months I am more aware of it. I pay a lot of attention to what my body does and what it's telling me. As part of my heart is quite literally dead meat, it takes a lot more work on the remaining part to do the job. Staying warm and comfortable is a lot of work for the body. I also suffer from not one ...